First, thank you for this wonderful, helpful, kind and supportive forum. Such a blessing.
The procedure was done by Dr. Brackmann and Dr. Schwartz of House Clinic who were wonderful and I have no
doubt I got the best surgeons possible. St Vincents Hospital... the staff and nurses were very kind and caring... a great hospital.
I found out about the tumor a few months earlier because I on one side of my tongue I could not taste and had a tingling sensation.
8 hour operation. Facial nerve preserved. Hearing and balance removed. I had hearing loss on that side anyways and the tumor was so large that non-AN side was already compensating. I do miss stereo w/headphones though.
First week post-op was Headachesville. I finally learned that Alleve worked and started using that w/doctor's advice to include Protonix or similar. Every day the headaches got less and less. After 3 weeks I did not need to take Alleve every day.
For balance, Physical Therapist gave me some daily exercises. They would be challenging for anybody,
balance issue or not. I now can get around and am steady on feet, but still have this "wonkish" head feeling.
Biggest surprise were the eyes...first 2 weeks could not read, watch tv or compute w/out eye strain and or headache. I know why now. I listen to radio and books on CDs. Today, I start a self imposed regimen of slowly getting back on computer.
I am slowly getting back energy. I sleep 8/9 hours a night and some naps during day. Can ride bike 3/times week. Swimming too difficult... really makes me dizzy. Try that again in a week or 2.
I have a larger than usual belly scar/swelling from fat harvest because I am really thin. It's fine, doesn't hurt and I have even had a chance to show it off
Hope this is helpful to anybody else going through this. All your posts were really, really helpful to me... thanks so much.
Peace
